Possibly goes top 10 but is a big, physical SP with ace potential. Moore and co. will be all over him if he slips a bit and could offer top 10 money at No. 16
OF Jarred Kelenic, Waukasha West HS, WI
Spoiler!
Kelenic is the top prep bat, toolsy OF. Royals would be ecstatic to have shot at him.
1B Triston Casas, American Heritage HS (FL).
Spoiler!
Tremendous raw power, best in HS bats. Royals typically like HS arms or HS bats with "special" tools. He qualifies.
RHP Carter Stewart, Eau de Gallie HS (Ga).
Spoiler!
Another big, physical specimen with huge upside. More likely to be available mid-first than Rocker.
ANY Any, Any (Any). Any current top projected pick who slides for injury concerns. Includes current top prospect prospect SP Brady Singer, U of Florida.
Current Prospects to Watch:
OF Seuly Matias - Huge tools. Hit 2 HR in Lexington (A) season opener.
1B Nick Pratto - Top pick in 17 has advanced approach and good glove; needs to start tapping into power in first full year in minors. Also at Lexington.
OF Michael Gigliotti - Good defender in CF, good OBP skills, plus baserunner. Next mainstay in CF for KC, IMO. Advanced college bat also starting at Lexington.
OF Khalil Lee - Probably has highest upside in Royals' system. Could hit 30 HR in majors, could steal 30 bases. Plus defensive ability in RF. Nice test at Wilmington this year.
3B Emmanuel Rivera - Really nice approach and good contact skills. Power is still developing. Also getting a good test at Wilmington.
SP Foster Griffin - Made nice strides in 2017. Needs to continue to progress in 2018. Could be a lefty version of Jakob Junis (good breaking ball that he can really manipulate, OK fastball, good command).
1B Samir Duenez - Duenez still is intriguing, hoping for a step forward in his power production this year at Northwest Arkansas, which would turn him into a legit prospect.
Others to keep an eye on:
SP Gerson Garabito (Wilmington), OF Marten Gasparini (Lexington), C MJ Melendez (Lexington), RP Tyler Zuber (lexington), RP Richard Lovelady (Omaha), SP Dan Tillo (Lexington), SS Nicky Lopez (NWA), SP Scott Blewett (NWA), OF Brewer Hicklen (Idaho Falls),
In general, Lexington and Wilmington are the most interesting spots to watch. Nice depth and a lot of interesting pieces at both. [Reply]
Originally Posted by TambaBerry:
So, I haven't followed this thread but who do we want the Royal's to get in the draft? Pitching at the top of the list?
Yeah, I'd stay a million miles away from pitching. Zero of their high picks at pitcher have amounted to anything in a while. Load up on bats and use trades to add pitchers from systems that actually know how to develop them. [Reply]
Originally Posted by TambaBerry:
So, I haven't followed this thread but who do we want the Royal's to get in the draft? Pitching at the top of the list?
The Royals need star talent/potential, regardless of position.
There are a few pitchers that may get to that spot that I really like - Ethan Hankins from HS in Georgia, Kumar Rocker, also a GA HS kid, and Logan Gilbert from Stetson (strong deGrom vibe).
OF Jordyn Adams will likely be there and is a classic Royals crush ... multi sport HS athlete with enormous physical ability (Byron Buxton-type tools) but I would stay away from him (biggest bust/upside pick at that spot).
Originally Posted by Sure-Oz:
Matias kid has 2 hr tonight with 17 now
His ISO (SLG-AVG) is ridiculous. Average is not impressive and still needs work on recognizing and spitting on spin, but his raw power is sick.
And he’s probably the second-best prospect on that team, since 2017 second-round pick MC Melendez is showing nearly the same power but with plus C defense.
Originally Posted by CasselGotPeedOn:
Is Dayton Moore still the gm if we don't sneak into the playoffs in 14?
“Sneak in?” They were one of the hottest teams in baseball in the second half and secured the top WC spot. Do you consider all WC teams as sneaking in?
I think he would have survived had they missed but still had a winning season. [Reply]
Originally Posted by TambaBerry:
So, I haven't followed this thread but who do we want the Royal's to get in the draft? Pitching at the top of the list?
Originally Posted by BWillie:
Would have been a great contract if MLB didn't juice the ball. Ian Kennedy is as fly ball pitcher as there is. On paper, it was a smart signing. MLB fucked us is what happened.
Originally Posted by TambaBerry:
So, I haven't followed this thread but who do we want the Royal's to get in the draft? Pitching at the top of the list?
I'm to the point where the Royals have shown they suck at evaluating pitching, so just go all bats. Either fill in with FA pitchers when you have to or acquire good AAA or AA pitchers with your assets you drafted on bats. It seems like bats are easier to project than pitchers. We failed with Zimmer. We failed with Ashe Russell. We are currently failing with Nolan Watson, who looks like a dumpster fire. We didn't get our moneys worth on Montgomery, Crow or JP Howell either. [Reply]
Originally Posted by tk13:
Whit's such a good player. If they trade him they better get something legit back. Especially since we don't have to trade him.
I think @DHoltzy will have the updated stat in a moment. But I think Whit Merrifield is now something like 17 for 18 stealing third in his career.
